Patentable/Patents/US-11533245
US-11533245

Method and apparatus for measuring end-to-end packet latency and packet delay variation via deep packet inspection at an intermediate node of a communication network

PublishedDecember 20, 2022
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

A method and apparatus for monitoring network performance in near real-time by making measurements on packets received at an intermediate node in a wireless communication network. The solution is useful for any packetized communication network that connects a client and application server, and particularly for any application running over TCP/IP protocol. A method is disclosed for measuring end-to-end qualities of a packet-based communication session between a data sender (DS) and a data receiver (DR) at an intermediate node. The measured end-to-end communication qualities may include latency and packet delay variation.

Patent Claims
6 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the packet-based communication session is a TCP/IP session.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to packet-based communication systems, specifically addressing the need for improved handling of TCP/IP sessions. The method involves monitoring and managing data transmission in a TCP/IP session to enhance performance, reliability, or security. The system detects and processes packets within the session, applying techniques such as error correction, traffic shaping, or encryption to optimize communication. By focusing on TCP/IP, the method ensures compatibility with widely used internet protocols while addressing common issues like latency, packet loss, or congestion. The approach may include analyzing packet headers, payloads, or session metadata to dynamically adjust transmission parameters. This ensures efficient data transfer, reduced latency, and improved session stability. The method can be implemented in network devices, servers, or endpoints to support various applications, including web browsing, file transfers, or real-time communication. The solution provides a scalable and adaptable framework for optimizing TCP/IP-based interactions in diverse networking environments.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the DS comprises a UE and the DR comprises a server.

Plain English Translation

A method for secure data transmission involves a data source (DS) and a data receiver (DR) exchanging data through a network. The DS encrypts data using a cryptographic key and transmits the encrypted data to the DR. The DR decrypts the received data using the same cryptographic key. The method ensures secure communication by preventing unauthorized access to the transmitted data. In one implementation, the DS is a user equipment (UE) device, such as a smartphone or tablet, and the DR is a server. The UE encrypts data before sending it to the server, which then decrypts the data upon receipt. This approach is particularly useful in mobile networks where data security is critical. The method may also include additional steps such as key exchange, authentication, or error correction to enhance security and reliability. The encryption and decryption processes can use symmetric or asymmetric cryptographic algorithms, depending on the security requirements and computational constraints. The system ensures that only authorized parties can access the transmitted data, protecting sensitive information during transmission.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the forward PD value is calculated as t_2−t_1, and the return PD value is calculated as t_4−t_3.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a method for determining propagation delay (PD) values in a communication system, specifically for calculating forward and return propagation delays between two points. The method addresses the challenge of accurately measuring signal travel time in bidirectional communication links, which is critical for synchronization, timing analysis, and performance optimization in networks. The method involves measuring time stamps at specific points during signal transmission and reception. For the forward PD value, the time difference between a first time stamp (t_1) recorded at the transmission of a signal and a second time stamp (t_2) recorded at the reception of the signal is calculated. Similarly, for the return PD value, the time difference between a third time stamp (t_3) recorded at the transmission of a return signal and a fourth time stamp (t_4) recorded at the reception of the return signal is calculated. These calculations provide precise measurements of the propagation delays in both directions of the communication link. The method ensures accurate timing synchronization by accounting for signal travel time in both forward and return paths, which is essential for applications requiring high precision, such as telecommunication networks, data centers, and distributed computing systems. The technique can be applied in various communication protocols and network architectures where bidirectional delay measurements are necessary for performance monitoring and error correction.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the overall PD value measured over a time interval is the variance associated with the forward and return PD measurements during that time interval.

Plain English Translation

A system and method for monitoring and analyzing phase delay (PD) in communication networks, particularly in optical or high-speed data transmission systems, addresses the challenge of accurately assessing signal integrity and synchronization. The invention measures phase delay by capturing both forward and return PD measurements over a defined time interval. The overall PD value is determined by calculating the variance of these measurements, providing a statistical measure of phase delay variability. This approach helps identify inconsistencies, jitter, or drift in signal timing, which are critical for maintaining data integrity and synchronization in high-performance networks. The method involves collecting multiple PD measurements in both transmission directions, analyzing their distribution, and computing the variance to quantify phase delay fluctuations. By focusing on variance, the system enhances detection of subtle timing errors that could degrade performance. This technique is particularly useful in applications requiring precise synchronization, such as telecommunication networks, data centers, and distributed computing environments. The invention improves reliability by providing a more robust metric for phase delay assessment compared to traditional single-point measurements.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the DS comprises a UE and the DR comprises a server.

Plain English Translation

A method for wireless communication involves a device system (DS) and a data repository (DR) exchanging information to optimize data processing. The DS may be a user equipment (UE) such as a smartphone or IoT device, while the DR may be a server or cloud-based storage system. The method includes the DS transmitting a data request to the DR, which processes the request and returns a response. The DS then analyzes the response to determine if further action is needed, such as requesting additional data or adjusting its operations based on the received information. The method may also involve the DS pre-processing data before transmission to reduce computational load on the DR or improving efficiency in data retrieval. The system ensures that the DS and DR interact in a way that minimizes latency, conserves bandwidth, and optimizes resource usage. This approach is particularly useful in scenarios where the DS has limited processing power or connectivity, such as in mobile or edge computing environments. The method may also include error handling mechanisms to ensure reliable data exchange even under adverse network conditions.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the DS comprises a server and the DR comprises a UE.

Plain English Translation

A system and method for data synchronization between a server and a user equipment (UE) device addresses challenges in maintaining consistent data across distributed systems. The server acts as a data source (DS) while the UE functions as a data receiver (DR). The method involves detecting changes in data stored on the server, transmitting those changes to the UE, and updating the UE's local data to match the server's version. This ensures data consistency between the server and the UE, even when the UE operates offline or with intermittent connectivity. The synchronization process may include conflict resolution mechanisms to handle simultaneous updates from multiple sources. The system is particularly useful in mobile applications where devices frequently switch between connected and disconnected states, ensuring users have access to the most recent data regardless of network conditions. The method may also include compression or encryption techniques to optimize bandwidth usage and secure data during transmission. By automating synchronization, the system reduces manual intervention and minimizes errors associated with manual data updates.

Classification Codes (CPC)

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

October 23, 2020

Publication Date

December 20, 2022

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